Witchlore

By Author / Illustrator

Emma Hinds

Genre

Fantasy

Age range(s)

14+

Publisher

Usborne

ISBN

9781835409589

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

09-10-2025

Synopsis

A spellbinding fantasy where the romance is as real as the magic - discover your next YA obsession with this love story to raise the dead...

At Demdike College of Witchcraft, Orlando is an outcast. Not just for being the only shapeshifter in a college of witches. Not just for being a really bad shapeshifter, with no control over their magic or when their body switches between male and female forms. But because their girlfriend Elizabeth died - and it was Lando's fault.

And then charming new boy Bastian arrives with a proposition: he knows a spell that can raise Elizabeth from the dead. It's dangerous, but Lando will try anything. But as Lando's attraction to Bastian grows, questions start to arise. Who is Bastian? What does he really want? And who will survive the resurrection spell?

"Wise, brilliantly written, and full of humour and heart - I loved it." Sophie Keetch, author of Morgan Is My Name. Readers are obsessed with Witchlore! 'With echoes of Holly Black's edge and the wit of Lex Croucher, Witchlore delivers a queer love story wrapped in gothic charm and high-stakes sorcery.' 'One of my favourite books that I've read this year.... It gave me such emotional whiplash.' 'A stunning YA debut and a must-read.' 'I constantly thought about this book when I wasn't reading it and it gripped me all the way through... I sobbed at some parts!' 'Well wasn't this just wonderful!! 'The diversity and queer representation was so amazing!!'

Download Extract

Reviews

Linda

Witchlore, a debut YA novel, is full of magic, folklore creatures, spells and witches . . . The story follows Orlando or 'Lando' ( as they liked to be called), a shapeshifter attending Demdike College of Witchcraft in the UK. Lando is an outcast in their own community, they switch between male and female forms uncontrollably, can't manage magic like the witches around them, and they also carry an overwhelming guilt for the death of their girlfriend, Elizabeth, when they performed a spell that went tragically wrong. Then new student, Bastian, arrives, seeks Lando out and promises to make things better with a resurrection spell to bring Elizabeth back. Can Lando trust Bastian? Will bringing Elizabeth back make things better or worse?

As Lando becomes drawn into the magical quest, along with Bastian, to collect the ingredients for the spell, the reader encounters themes of grief, power and identity. Why is Lando experiencing vivid dreams and are they connected to Bastian and this forbidden spell?

Witchlore is a diverse read of around 366 pages that offers LGBTQ representation throughout the plot and is aimed at 14+ readers. At times I found the pacing to be erratic, however, I liked how the author has cleverly used the magic system of their fantasy world to reflect real YA issues. There are quite a few twists and turns but they come towards the end of the book and some I didn't see coming. Witchlore is strong and meaningful; a worthwhile read.

368 pages / Reviewed by Linda Brown, school librarian